Warning over summer increase in ticket fraud

A new report from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has revealed that 33 per cent of crime reports that related to ticket fraud in 2014 happened in May, June and July.
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This is largely down to the number of UK festivals and high-profile concerts taking place during these months, giving fraudsters the perfect opportunity to strike.

Although overall levels of ticket fraud have dipped 11 per cent since 2013, a total of £3.35m was lost to ticket fraud in 2014, with victims losing on average £250 each. In 2014, there was also a six per cent increase in teenagers being targeted by ticket scams.

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Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, said: “It can sometimes be tempting to buy from sources other than official websites if you’re desperate to get tickets to see your favourite band this summer.

“Unfortunately the nature of ticket fraud means the higher the demand for an event, the higher number of potential victims the fraudsters can target.

“Contact via the internet is ideal for these criminals as they are able to use pre-existing websites or fan forums to help them appear legitimate, or in fact mimic genuine websites to help them dupe their victims into handing over money.

“E-ticketing fraud is also an increasing threat. Although convenient for people, it is much easier for offenders to copy and sell multiple tickets that you think are genuine, yet when you attend the event, the ticket is no longer valid as someone has already been admitted. Unfortunately, as these stats highlight, we are seeing more and more cases of teenagers falling victim, stressing the importance of making sure children are aware of these sorts of scams from a young age.”

Other crime prevention advice includes:

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• Do not reply to unsolicited emails from sellers you don’t recognise;

• Before entering payment card details on a website, ensure that the link is secure, in three ways:

- There should be a padlock symbol in the browser window frame, which appears when you attempt to log in or register. Be sure that the padlock is not on the page itself, this will probably indicate a fraudulent site

- The web address should begin with https://. The s stands for secure.

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- If using the latest version of your browser, the address bar or the name of the site owner will turn green.

• Ensure any third-party payment services (such as WorldPay) are secure before you make your payment.

• Safeguard and remember the password you have chosen for the extra verification services used on some websites, such as Verified by Visa.

• In the event that you choose to buy tickets from an individual (for example on eBay), never transfer the money directly into their bank account but use a secure payment site such as PayPal, where money is transferred between two electronic accounts.

• Check sellers’ privacy policy and returns policy.

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• Always log out of sites into which you have logged in or registered details. Simply closing your browser is not enough to ensure privacy

Keep receipts

• Check credit card and bank statements carefully after ticket purchase to ensure that the correct amount has been debited, and also that no fraud has taken place as a result of the transaction.

• Ensure you have effective and updated internet security software and firewall running before you go online

• Watch out for e-ticketing fraud, whereby offenders can sell multiple tickets online that appear legitimate yet when you attend the event, the ticket is invalid as someone has already been admitted.

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If you think you have been a victim of fraud you should report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre by calling 0300 123 20 40 or by visiting go to www.actionfraud.police.uk.

For further advice on how to stay safe online go to www.GetSafeOnline.org.